Collapsible dagger for stabbing and opening oysters, etc.



July 25, 1950 A. cRowL- ETAL 2,516,618

COLLAPSIBLE DAGGER FOR STABBING AND OPENING OYSTERS ETC Flled Jan 14 1948 awe/M0164 11. A. Cr'owl and LE Gasi.

Patented July 25, 1950 COLLAPSIBLE' DAGGER FOR'STABBING AND; y, oPEmNdoYsTERsn'ro.

Louis A. Growl and Lecdi. GasmBaltimonaMch-z 1' I Application January 14, li il8, ".sferial No. 2,28

This invention relates to oyster-opening tools, also to tool-handle fasteners, and especially to a collapsible dagger for stabbing and opening oysters, etc.

One object of this invention is to provide a collapsible dagger or the like that is composed of only a few simple primarily separate parts that can be made at low cost by an automatic screw machine, or by forging, or by casting, or

by moulding.

Another object is to provide a device such as above-described, and which can be quickly and easily manipulated so as to transform it from its collapsed, shortened, safe-packeting condition, to its normal working or oyster-stabbing condition, viz., in a condition in which the blade or work-engaging portion is rigidly secured to the handle and has the blade extending from one end of the handle when in position to cooperate with the handle for stabbing and opening oysters; also, which can be manipulated so as to disconnect the blade from its operable engagement with the handle, to insert the blade in a chamber of the handle, and to secure the blade in both inner and outer positions by a unitary fastening means or unit.

Other objects and important features are pointed out or implied in the following details of description, in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side-view of the invention in its normal operative condition.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the three separately formed parts in mutually alined position so as to be mutually engaged by relative inward movements along a straight line, the blade being turned with one edge toward the observer.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view thru the handle and securing device or nut, the blade or work-engaging element being in the chamber hat extends approximately from end to end of e handle, one edge of the blade being toward observer.

T. 4 is an end-view of the handle. sinerring to these drawings in detail, in which, in tlIefe-rence-numerals refer to similar parts in e veral views, the invention is described In as follows:

ele t terms, the invention comprises a toolgag ihat includes an elongated Work-enhan in or symmetrical blade 6 and a two e ing portion which latter comprises tually al ims l and 8 whose axes are muunited Sal-d gld whose bases are integrally *-engaging portion being united 2Clain1s. (014279;:91)

with the smaller end of one of the cone-frustums and disposed along a line that extends outward from said axes, said cone-frustums being of proper shape and size to fit interchangeably in a handle-socket-portion of substantially the same shape and size.

More specifically, the invention is a combination that includes the above-described tool-element 5 and a symmetrical hollow handle 9, the latter having a socket Ill whose inlet end is inwardly convergent at l l and normally having one of the cone-frustums l or 8 snugly fitted therein. The securing means comprises a nut l2 normally having its screw-threads I4 engaged with a screw-threaded end of the handle l0 and with the outer one of the cone-frustums, at I3,

so as to secure the tool-element 5 in rigid connection with the handle In.

The invention includes only a single blade united. with the frustum l and extending axially therefrom, because a second blade united with either frustum' would not only add to the cost of producing the invention, but would also defeat the very important purpose of shortening the device to slightly more than one-half its extended, stabbing, length. By thus shortening the device, by enclosing the single blade within the handle, there is eliminated the danger that would result from a second blade that would necessarily project from the handle and present a continual danger in putting or carrying the knife in a users or carriers pocket and in taking it from the pocket.

The frustum 8 is at the opposite side or end of the frustum i from the knife or blade 6; and this frustum 8 is approximately twice as long as the difference between the major and minor diameters of the frustum 8. This relative length and low or slight taper are quite advantageous in obtaining and maintaining maximum rigidity of the biade with respect to the handle, viz., preventing looseness in the joint between the frustum' 8 and convergent or tapering seat I l, the latter being of the same degree of low convergence as is the frustum 3, Vin, about fifteen degrees from the frustums axial center.

We have no intention to limit our patent protection to the precise details of description and illustration in the foregoing and in the drawings, for the invention is susceptible of various changes within the scope of the inventive ideas as implied and claimed.

Our invention is claimed as follows:

i. In a tool element, a unit that consists entirely of a relativelythin and wide symmetrical single dagger-blade and two immediately united cone-frustums, one of these cone-frustum's being the larger and approximately twice as long axially as is the difference between the major and minor diameters thereof and being tapered about fifteen degrees from its axial center, the other or shorter one of said frustums being between said dagger-blade and said larger frustum and united therewith in such relation that the dagger-blade projects from the minor-end of the shorter frustum, said larger frustum being adapted to lit in a hollow seat of approximately the same length and the same low taper and mean diameter. so as to obtain and maintain maximum rigidity between said blade and hollow seat.

I 2. The unit defined in claim 1, in combination with a handle having thereina seat 015 approximately the same length and low taper and mean diameter as of said larger frustum which is tightly fittable in said seat, and an annular se- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 292,620 Bellamy Jan. 29, 1884 1,618,998 Redinger Mar. 1, 1927 2,393,424 Selch Jan. 22, 1946 

